08-05-2025
Lichok water treatment plant construction ahead of schedule, expects completion this Oct
Julaihi (left) with others at the new Lichok Water Treatment Plant site on Wednesday. – Photo via Facebook/Julaihi Narawi
KUCHING (May 8): Residents in Kabong can look forward to a major boost in treated water supply when the new Lichok Water Treatment Plant is completed this October.
Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, in a Facebook post, said the RM29 million plant which began construction last February will have a treatment capacity of 10 million litres per day (MLD).
'Currently, the existing Lichok plant produces 15 MLD of treated water, with the ability to increase up to 19 MLD during peak demand.
'Once the new plant is operational, the combined output will rise to 25 MLD, or up to 29 MLD if needed, ensuring a more stable and sufficient water supply for Kabong District,' he said following a site visit to the construction site with a team from the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) yesterday (May 7).
Accompanying him were Kabong assemblyman Dato Mohd Chee Kadir, Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri, Krian assemblyman Friday Belik, State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications Secretary Datu Jafri Lias, and JBALB Director Awg Fadilla Awg Raduan among others.
He noted that the project is progressing well, with construction reaching 42 per cent completion currently, exceeding the projected schedule of 32 per cent.
'The Acute Water Supply System allows the project to be completed in less than a year. The entire initiative is fully funded by the Sarawak government,' he added.
Julaihi explained that treated water from the Lichok plant is channelled to two main elevated storage tanks – one at Bukit Lebur with a capacity of 4.5 million litres and another in Kabong town with 3 million litres – before being distributed to homes and businesses.
'This development follows the near-completion of Package 1 of the Kabong District Water Supply Project, which includes 12 key components such as the construction of elevated water tanks and distribution pipelines.
'The package, with a budget of RM107.5 million, is also state-funded,' said Julaihi. jbalb julaihi narawi Lichok Water Treatment Plant
